Insider
William Fox-Pitt is retiring from the top level of eventing after a stellar career in the sport
Edited by Eleanor Jones Share your news story Call 0330 390 6386 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com@ jones_eleanor_
IT was the end of an era at Mars Badminton Horse Trials as William Fox-Pitt announced his retirement from the highest level of the sport, bowing out at the top as one of eventing’s all-time greats.
William came so close to a fairy-tale ending to his stellar career after he and Grafennacht gave a cross-country masterclass, but poles down meant they finished 13th. “It wasn’t my day, but I’ve had these moments before and it will all be fine tomorrow,” said William. “At least it was properly not my day – there were no ifs and buts and maybes and on to the next one, because I won’t come back.
“That will be it. It’s tricky to say, but I’m 55 and I’ve had a great time. I’m in one piece and lucky to be in one piece.”
William was at the prize-giving to collect a fifth Armada dish, having completed Badminton 26 times.
“I’ve really loved it,” he said. “I’ve been so lucky to have so many supporters, it’s been a great send-off. We enjoyed the moment yesterday. There’s no tears and sobbing – I’m very matter of fact about it; this is the right thing to do.”
William has been representing Britain since he was in juniors, winning individual silver in 1987. He won two team golds, team silver and individual bronze in young rider Europeans. He has been on six European gold medal-winning senior teams, one silver and one bronze, and won two individual silvers and one bronze, not to mention world team gold, two silvers and bronze, and individual silver and bronze.
At Olympics, he has twice won team silver and once bronze. In 2016 he was the highest-placed Brit in 12th, less than a year after he suffered a serious head injury in a fall.
His 14 five-star wins are more than anyone else has achieved, he has won Burghley six times on six horses, plus more than 50 three-day events.
Yogi Breisner, British eventing performance manager through much of William’s golden era, told H&H this record speaks for itself.
“But where he’s unique is that he’s done that on such a vast variety of horses,” he said. “That shows what a true horseman he is, his wonderful understanding for the horses and his ability to get the best out of so many horses.”
Yogi added that not only is William a star, he shone through times when so many top riders were on the scene.
“He was top of his game in an era of unbel
